To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what commitments he has received from the Learning and Skills Council on the provision of a further education college for Sittingbourne. (244236)

I have been asked to reply.

The Secretary of State has not received any commitments from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for a new further education (FE) college in Sittingbourne. Although the LSC and local partners have identified a need for some additional FE provision in Sittingbourne, there is insufficient demand for a new FE college.

Canterbury College, together with Swale borough council, is investigating whether there is scope for the college to have an additional presence in the area as part of the town's regeneration plans. If the college concludes this to be appropriate, it will consult locally before putting a case to the LSC for consideration. In the event of a proposal for an existing college to locate a new site in Sittingbourne, the Secretary of State has no role in the decision.